Eco-genotoxicology: Micronucleus Assay in Fish Erythrocytes as In situ Aquatic Pollution Biomarker: a Review

The application of fish erythrocyte micronucleus assay in pollution monitoringparticularly in water has been described as sensitive biodetector of genotoxicants. The pervasiveness of this technique has been characterized by varieties of sensitivities and adequacies in forms of early warning of ecodamage and toxicity, stresses on the health of organisms and ecosystems. Since biodiversity-rich freshwater ecosystems are currently declining faster than the marine or land ecosystems, making them the world’s most vulnerable habitats and their sustainability being threatened by anthropocentrism, fish micronucleus test holds great promise for continuous and effective pollution evaluation. This paper briefly explores the biomonitoring potentials of micronucleus test on waterborne pollutants. It then considers the interplay between such micronucleus formations and certain widespread environmental pollutants. While acknowledging the fact that both peripheral and kidney bloods are sensitive to the genetic damage induced by the aquatic toxicants, the paper concludes that bioindicators offer several types of unique information not available from other methods. The sampling of peripheral blood is appropriate and sufficient for biomonitoring projects, as it allows collecting several samples from the same individual, without having to sacrifice it.